Phoenix Suns put up 152 points in win over Timberwolves

The Suns kept trying to make the steep climb up the Western Conference's mountain Tuesday night, and the Minnesota Timberwolves went off the mountain's cliff.

Phoenix won for the 16th time in its past 21 games, handing Minnesota its 10th consecutive loss and setting an NBA season high for points scored.

The Suns annihilated Minnesota 152-114 at US Airways Center, surpassing the NBA season best of 146 points set by Golden State (also against Minnesota) and Atlanta (against Toronto).

Phoenix scored at least 35 points in each quarter for the first time since 1972.

"There was a point during this season where we would've maybe dropped the game or made it a close one, but we had focus and got it done," said Suns forward Louis Amundson, who tied a career high with 20 points in 20 minutes. "That says a lot about our maturity at this point in the season."

The Suns scored more points in three quarters (114) than any other NBA team scored in a game Tuesday night. The Suns remained in sixth place in the West but pulled within a half-game of Oklahoma City and a 1 1/2 games of Utah, which visits the Suns on Friday.

The Suns, whose previous season-high points total was 127 against Golden State and the Los Angeles Clippers, have won games against teams with losing records eight consecutive times. But no team was worse than Minnesota, the West's doormat with one win in its past 17 games.

Minnesota ranks 29th in the NBA defensively, and it showed. It allowed a 79-point first half that was a point shy of a NBA season high for a half.

Suns guard Jason Richardson tied his season high with six 3-pointers and scored 15 of his team-high 27 points in the first quarter, when Steve Nash handed out nine assists (three off his 2006 club record for a quarter).

"We knew, after the first five minutes of the game, that we could get what we wanted offensively," said Amar'e Stoudemire, who scored 25 points and made six shots in a row in the decisive second quarter. "It was just flowing that way."

The Suns' defense was not much better early. Minnesota trailed 52-46 midway through the second quarter until Phoenix made 11 of its last 12 shots of the half for a 79-61 lead.

"We fell into the trap of playing how they wanted to play," Minnesota forward Ryan Gomes said. "They're used to playing that way for 48 minutes, and we're not."

The Suns broke Al Jefferson's string of nine consecutive 20-point games against them, as the blowout limited him to 23 minutes and 13 points.

Goran Dragic's three early fouls enabled Leandro Barbosa to see first-half action, and the rout allowed for more time later in his first game since Jan. 22. Barbosa, coming off wrist surgery seven weeks ago, had seven points, three rebounds, three assists and a steal in 16 minutes.

The victory guaranteed the Suns their sixth consecutive winning season. The only other teams to do so this season are Cleveland, Dallas and Denver, but San Antonio also is on pace to accomplish that feat.

The Suns shot 56 percent, put eight scorers in double figures, hit 27 of 29 free throws and made 15 of 31 3-point shots to set a Minnesota franchise opponent record for scoring.

Key player

Suns guard Jason Richardson made six 3-pointers, tying a season high, and scored 27 points in 29 minutes.

Key moment

The Suns led 52-46 before making 11 of their final 12 shots in the second quarter to lead 79-61 at halftime.

Key number

79: The Suns' first-half point total was the second-best half in the NBA this season. Milwaukee had an 80-point half against Golden State.

View from press row

Leandro Barbosa had one of his better days in a long time Tuesday. It wasn't just that he played in his first game since Jan. 22 after recovering from right-wrist surgery. His day already couldn't have been topped. Barbosa's 9-month-old daughter, in Brazil since January, said "Papi" for the first time on the phone to him in the morning.

Warriors update: Golden State (19-50) is 2-9 this month but has won two of its past three home games. The Warriors give up an NBA-worst 112.2 points per game on 48.7 percent shooting. Monta Ellis is averaging 25.7 points. Corey Maggette is shooting 52.2 percent and averaging 20.2 points. Rookie Stephen Curry is averaging 16.3 points, 5.5 rebounds and 4.2 assists.